Houston-area House incumbents win with ease

Once and future State Rep Sarah Davis in her office. Photo by R. Clayton McKee

Once and future State Rep Sarah Davis in her office. Photo by R. Clayton McKee

Photo: R. Clayton McKee, Freelance

Image 2 of 8

City Councilman Al Hoang waves to the crowd during the ceremonial and public swearing in of Mayor Annise Parker and the rest of the Houston City Council members, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at the Wortham Theater in Houston. ( Karen Warren / Chronicle ) less

City Councilman Al Hoang waves to the crowd during the ceremonial and public swearing in of Mayor Annise Parker and the rest of the Houston City Council members, Monday, Jan. 4, 2010, at the Wortham Theater in ... more

Photo: Karen Warren, Staff

Image 3 of 8

Nghi T. Ho -- candidate for Dist. 149.

Nghi T. Ho -- candidate for Dist. 149.

Photo: Candidate Photo

Image 4 of 8

Image 5 of 8

Carol Alvarado poses for photo Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. She is a candidate for the Texas State Senate District 6 seat formerly held by the late Sen. Mario Gallegos. (Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle )

Carol Alvarado poses for photo Monday, Jan. 7, 2013. She is a candidate for the Texas State Senate District 6 seat formerly held by the late Sen. Mario Gallegos. (Melissa Phillip / Houston Chronicle )

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Staff

Image 6 of 8

Susan Delgado -- Dist 145

Susan Delgado -- Dist 145

Image 7 of 8

Voters cast their ballots Tuesday at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center in Houston. Turnout was reportedly light in Harris County.

Voters cast their ballots Tuesday at the Metropolitan Multi-Services Center in Houston. Turnout was reportedly light in Harris County.

Photo: Cody Duty, Staff

Image 8 of 8

Houston-area House incumbents win with ease

1 / 8

Back to Gallery

Houston-area incumbent state representatives easily held their seats in the Republican and Democratic primaries Tuesday, and a pair of open seats will be decided in May runoffs.

Most area state representatives had no challengers, though several face opponents in the November general election.

Translator

On March 6, Texas voters will decide who will carry the Democratic party's mantle into the battle for governor and a slew of other statewide offices. Click here for full coverage of the primary elections. Find our voters guide here.

"We definitely heard some people were unhappy with it," she said. "I think my perspective on this issue and the way I voted is what the majority of my constituents agree with me on."

Hoang wins

In District 149, in southwest Houston, former Houston City Councilman Al Hoang beat Nghi T. Ho in a Republican contest. Hoang next faces Democratic Rep. Hubert Vo in November. Vo had no challenger in the Democratic primary.

Hoang narrowly lost his City Council re-election bid last November and made a surprise move by seeking the state post.

Given the district's large Vietnamese constituency, international matters are local.

Hoang has been called a communist for his favoring trade and dialogue with Vietnam.

He received death threats and had his home picketed when, as a councilman, he met with a Vietnamese dignitary visiting the city.

He said the coming election marks a change for the Vietnamese community.

"They now have a choice, a Vietnamese Republican and a Vietnamese Democrat," he said.

As for the heat over his meeting with a Vietnamese vice minister, he said it was right for the city and for people who want Vietnam to change.

"I had to think in the best interests of the city. We had to promote trade," he said. "By using that, we have some influence on Vietnam, 'please honor human rights and set up a road map for democracy,' rather than just protest, protest, protest."

In District 150, Rep. Debbie Riddle, a Republican, defeated businessman Tony Noun. She will be challenged by Democrat Amy Perez in November.

"It is a pretty strong showing, so I am very grateful," Riddle said of the vote, stressing that although she had not heard of Noun, she took nothing for granted. "My goodness, I'm exhausted. I worked very hard in the campaign."

Riddle, who has represented the north Harris County district for 12 years has drawn attention over the years for comparing public education to communism and for coining the phrase "terror babies" for children born of foreign mothers who come to the United States in alliance with terrorists, so their children would be citizens here.

Alvarado, Allen win

In District 145, in southeast Houston, Democratic Rep. Carol Alvarado beat Susan Delgado, who has been a candidate in multiple races.

Alvarado had sought the Senate seat left vacant by the death of Mario Gallegos last year, but lost in a special election to former Harris County Commissioner Sylvia Garcia.

"We are very proud of the numbers," Alvarado said. "They emphasized the strong connection we have with our constituents in District 145.

"We tried to be active, visible and accessible year round and the numbers proved that."

She does not have a Republican opponent in November.

In District 131, Democratic State Rep. Alma Allen, a former member of the State Board of Education, soundly defeated Azuwuike Okorafor.

Districts 129, 132

In District 129, a field of seven Republican candidates was trimmed to two for a runoff to fill the seat vacated by retiring Rep. John Davis.

Sheryl Berg, president of the Space Center Rotary will face business owner Dennis Paul.

In District 132, there will be a run off in the fight for the seat left by Bill Callegari, a Katy Republican. Lawyer Mike Schofield faces Ann Hodge, the president of the Katy Area Chamber of Commerce.